Objective To analyze the incidence and influencing factors of panic buying of medicine for flu prevention and treatment among the public during the epidemic of 2017 – 2018 seasonal influenza and to provide evidences for the prevention of panic buying.
Methods We conducted an online anonymous questionnaire survey among 1 151 voluntary internet users from January 6th to February 1st 2018 when there was a seasonal influenza epidemic in China. Information on behaviors of panic buying of medicine for flu prevention and treatment were collected among the participants. Descriptive methodology, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used in the study.
Results Among the 1 073 eligible respondents, 24.04% reported the involvement in panic buying during the epidemic period; of the self-reported panic buyers, 64.73% encountered the out-of-stock of some medicine they intended to purchase. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that suffering from an influenza (odds ratio OR = 1.895), with a family member being very susceptible to the epidemic (OR = 1.380), easily affected by the people around (OR = 2.321), and being highly anxious about flu epidemic (OR = 1.767) were risk factors of panic buying and with a strong confidence on relevant information from governmental agencies (OR = 0.430) was a protective factors against panic buying.
Conclusion Comprehensive measures should be implemented by relevant agencies and institutions to reduce panic buying among the public during an influenza epidemic.
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